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Students on the Medical School Field Course in St. Kitts

Medical School Field Course to St. Kitts

  1. U of G Homepage
  2. Human Health Sciences
  3. Undergraduate Studies

Are you interested in medical school? Do you want a taste of what medical school could be like?

The College of Biological Science is pleased to partner with the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts to offer undergraduate students a unique summer medical school field course: Principles to Practice.

Students travel to the Caribbean for four weeks beginning in May for an immersive learning experience that bridges the gap between foundational undergraduate life sciences and clinical medicine. Students learn in the university’s high-quality facilities, attend sessions with real and simulated patients, participate in community health screening events, and explore comparative global health systems in an immersive, hands-on format through discussion, simulations, and outreach.

For more information, contact Dr. Justine Tishinsky at jtishins@uoguelph.ca.

Students stand around a table with plastic bones

Course activities are designed to reflect the structure of a medical school learning environment and include:

  • Anatomy and histology lectures and lab sessions
  • Clinical skills (e.g., physical diagnosis, history-taking)
  • Biochemistry, immunology, genetics, and lifestyle medicine modules
  • Research project development with oral presentations
  • USMLE-style (medical school exam) question sessions with learning specialists
  • Public health outreach and cultural excursions

Afternoons include time for individual study, optional modules, and local engagement.

Experience the Caribbean

Cultural, historical and adventure excursions are built into the program so that students receive a one-of-a-kind experience. The islands of St. Kitts and Nevis offer unmatched hiking, watersport and historical attractions. The program is designed to be rigorous, but it also gives students ample time to enjoy the island as well.

Field Course Details

The Principles to Practice course helps student cultivate the skills, reasoning and perspective needed for success in medical school applications, particularly the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) and CASPer test. By engaging with real patients and discussing the lived experience of disease, students develop authentic clinical empathy and communication skills.

Every participant who successfully completes the program's academic and clinical objectives will receive a formal letter of recommendation to support their future medical school or professional healthcare applications, regardless of whether their target institution is UMHS or a domestic Canadian university.

U of G students will receive 1.0 course credits.

  • Field school fee (including accommodations): ~$5,750 CAD
  • Round-trip airfare: ~$900-1,500 CAD
  • Travel health insurance: ~$50
  • Meals and incidental expenses additional

A needs-based scholarship may be available. Please email Dr. Tishinsky at jtishins@uoguelph.ca for more information.

2 male students standing out from of a St.Kitts hospital

Career Preparation

The field school provides students interested in health professions with unique and invaluable experiences in medical education and practice.

Past participants say the experience:

  • Provided a realistic view of medical training and practice
  • Strengthened their motivation to pursue careers in medicine and health care
  • Increased their confidence, resilience, empathy, and professionalism
  • Fostered a deeper understanding of global health and diverse patient populations
  • Was transformative and career-shaping

Student Testimonials

Tegan Moses

This was an overwhelming eye opening and wonderful experience, to say the least. I learnt so many new things in class, yes, but most importantly, I learned first-hand that med school doesn’t have to be this big, scary, unattainable entity and that, at the end of the day, all the people here are genuinely rooting for you. I have never seen or experienced a community more dedicated to its students than I have here and I now understand how people can go through such an arduous education and love every second of it. Each person I have met during my time on the island has taught me something and I could not have asked for a better souvenir to bring home with me. From the “apex” of my heart, thank you so much for creating this program and reigniting my passion for medicine.
Tegan Moses, Undergraduate StudentProgram participant
Alexa Mazereeuw

The Principles to Practice program at UMHS has been one of the best experiences I’ve had. Having the opportunity to participate in the health fair and gain hands-on clinical experience and exposure was really valuable. The professors have been excellent, and I’ve really enjoyed being part of interactive lectures in a smaller learning environment. Overall, this program has provided me with valuable opportunities and experiences that I likely would not have had otherwise during my undergrad.
Alexa Mazereeuw, Undergraduate StudentProgram participant
Jamie Adams

All of us really enjoyed the experience. Personally, I loved the intimate feel of the trip. With such a small group, I had the opportunity to make many new friends and got to know the faculty well. I also appreciated how the experience gave us a realistic look into medical school and helped us solidify whether pursuing medicine is the right path for us. It was an incredibly valuable experience, both academically and personally, made even more memorable by the Caribbean setting.
Jamie Adams, Undergraduate StudentProgram participant
Rocky beach in St. Kitts